For the new guys: Top Android apps to download?

[GoodEnough]

There are going to be a tidal wave of new Droid users from this free Verizon promotion, so I want to redo a topic I am sure has been done to death.

What "must have's" should a new Droid user install ?
Keyboard app? Which one?

 

[RazzMaTazz]

 

[ironass]

so I want to redo a topic I am sure has been done to death.

As you so rightly point out... this sort of post, "has been done to death".

For anyone looking for app's that are recommended by experienced users, then look no further than these two posts:-

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/1183-favorite-app-so-far.html

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/335976-best-category-app-thread-list.html

The first is a continually updated, ongoing, thread for recommended app's.

The second is the "Best" app's in various categories.

These posts are the ones that regular users refer to and update as they are both stickys at the beginning of the forum.

 

[Adauth]

I prefer Jango to Pandora, no ads, unlimited skips and loads of preset stations such as 80's hits, 90's grunge, top 100. Not to mention you can search for any specific artist you want also. Did I mention that Jango is free also?

 

[GoodEnough]

Thanks RazzMaTazz. Exactly what I wanted to start off with. I wanted a new thread just b/c it might be easier than sifting through 100's of posts that arrive at the "best of" list.

Is there a storage space issue with installing too many apps?

 

[LucyCaboosey]

One of the best things about Android phones (over say iPhone's) is how customisable they are so my first port of call would be Go Launcher which allows you to give your phone different themes and completely change the look. It's free and there are a lot of free themes as well.

Whatsapp is another good shout especially if you send a lot of picture messages to your friends.

Angry Birds is a given.

Slightly less known but no less addictive is Moonchaser. My boyfriend and I spent months competing with each other on that one!!

Some kind of ad push detector. Those things are damn annoying!!

Some pretty decent camera apps are Lightbox, Vignette, Retrocam and Magic Hour and PicSayPro.

 

[GoodEnough]

Which app allows me to record my voice to text for easier/faster texting?
Also, what's the best keyboard app to replace the default?
Thanks!

 

[dantheman4162]

As much as this thread has been done to death, I appreciate the recent posts because as a new android user I never know what is an out-dated app and what now comes stock on newer phones (vs services that previously needed to be done through an app) especially when the old threads are a year plus old.

 

[GoodEnough]

That was precisely my logic.

 

[GoodEnough]

Some pretty decent camera apps are Lightbox, Vignette, Retrocam and Magic Hour and PicSayPro.

Why do you need an aftermarket camera app?
What is the default camera stuff missing?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

+1 on Google Goggles and Pandora

If you are rooted, also add Bloat Freezer and SetCPU.

 

[Dooderino]

Which app allows me to record my voice to text for easier/faster texting?
Also, what's the best keyboard app to replace the default?
Thanks!

Ice cream sandwich keyboard is awesome and there is a mic button on your keyboard it does voice to text and is extremely accurate

 

[GoodEnough]

What is "rooted" ?

 

[GoodEnough]

New guys, so far, here is what I am going to install this weekend:

1. Handcent
2. Swype - One of the best alternatives to the stock touchscreen keyboard
3. Bright Flashlight
4. Browser: Opera, Dolphin
5. LMI (log me in rescue) for remote support to the phone
6. Google maps/navigator - awesome free gps
7. Quick Office
8. Barcode Scanner
9. Google Maps
10. Android Speedometer (Kinda fun for skiing, biking, driving, etc.)
11. Lookout. (Anti-virus. Lost-phone finder/tracker/shut-down.)
12. Pandora / Jango
13. Sorami. (Lets you access 25GB of free Windows SkyDrive cloud storage.)
14. SoundHound.
15. Ultimate Stopwatch.
16. Where's My Droid. (Find, track, or ring your lost phone by sending it a secret text message.)
17. Google Voice. (Needed for free phone calls through SIPDroid.)
18. Chess
19. Google Goggles

 

[GoodEnough]

Anyone do anything to enhance the speakerphone ?

Is it worth getting one of those annoying bluetooth headsets to jam in your ear?
Have they gotten better in the last few years?

 

[Adauth]

+1 on Google Goggles and Pandora

If you are rooted, also add Bloat Freezer and SetCPU.

Fully agree on Bloat Freezer.

 

[miqnobo]

Fully agree on Bloat Freezer.

Too bad it was removed from market few months back.

There's a free one now from same developer though, with CIQ freezing!

 

[CodeMonkey]

Chrome to Phone - requires browser extension
Cloud Print - print to your home printer
Tasker - unleash your inner nerd
Wifi Analyzer - wifi scanner

 

[funpig]

There are so many choices in any particular category of apps, eg calendar, file manager, games etc.

One little app which I discovered recently is "Power Tutor". It will show you how much battery power is being used by each app. I use it to compare two apps and help me determine if one app burns more battery than the other, especially if running in the background.